Hard-copy storage
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Different people have different styles. What I'm looking for is ideas. I work on many different projects. I tend to start gathering pieces of information long before actual coding begins. This includes gathering information about similar programs, useful articles etc. What I end up with is several piles on my desk, one for each project as well as a growing "future reference" file. Sometimes I get organized and put some into file folders, or large projects get a notebook. My problem is, that it's very difficult to keep track of everything. How do you guys keep track of documentation? Brad
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Different people have different styles. What I'm looking for is ideas. I work on many different projects. I tend to start gathering pieces of information long before actual coding begins. This includes gathering information about similar programs, useful articles etc. What I end up with is several piles on my desk, one for each project as well as a growing "future reference" file. Sometimes I get organized and put some into file folders, or large projects get a notebook. My problem is, that it's very difficult to keep track of everything. How do you guys keep track of documentation? Brad
First and foremost, I try to keep the hard-copy to a minimum, even with project documentation. If I've got an electronic copy of a document, I rarely if ever print it. Even then, I don't usually print entire documents. I'll print a page or two if I need to refer to something while I'm coding, and I don't have room the have the document itself up on my monitors. I've got a binder with printed specs or parts thereof for my current projects. Background material I've got in binders on a shelf, and the shelf space isn't very large. I use the binders because I can't stand clutter on my desk. I'll have paper spread around while I'm working on something, but it's not a permanent feature. I suppose the measure of my success is how my 'recycle' pile gets smaller every year. We're big on recycling paper where I work. The bin is a ways down the aisle, so I've got a spot on a shelf where I store it. Once a year, I dump the pile. Four or five years ago, the pile was a foot tall. This year, it'll only be about three inches (it's running a little over an inch and a half at the moment).
Software Zen:
delete this;
Fold With Us![^] -
Different people have different styles. What I'm looking for is ideas. I work on many different projects. I tend to start gathering pieces of information long before actual coding begins. This includes gathering information about similar programs, useful articles etc. What I end up with is several piles on my desk, one for each project as well as a growing "future reference" file. Sometimes I get organized and put some into file folders, or large projects get a notebook. My problem is, that it's very difficult to keep track of everything. How do you guys keep track of documentation? Brad
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First and foremost, I try to keep the hard-copy to a minimum, even with project documentation. If I've got an electronic copy of a document, I rarely if ever print it. Even then, I don't usually print entire documents. I'll print a page or two if I need to refer to something while I'm coding, and I don't have room the have the document itself up on my monitors. I've got a binder with printed specs or parts thereof for my current projects. Background material I've got in binders on a shelf, and the shelf space isn't very large. I use the binders because I can't stand clutter on my desk. I'll have paper spread around while I'm working on something, but it's not a permanent feature. I suppose the measure of my success is how my 'recycle' pile gets smaller every year. We're big on recycling paper where I work. The bin is a ways down the aisle, so I've got a spot on a shelf where I store it. Once a year, I dump the pile. Four or five years ago, the pile was a foot tall. This year, it'll only be about three inches (it's running a little over an inch and a half at the moment).
Software Zen:
delete this;
Fold With Us![^]Are there any tools that you use to organize documents and web pages? Thanks Brad
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Different people have different styles. What I'm looking for is ideas. I work on many different projects. I tend to start gathering pieces of information long before actual coding begins. This includes gathering information about similar programs, useful articles etc. What I end up with is several piles on my desk, one for each project as well as a growing "future reference" file. Sometimes I get organized and put some into file folders, or large projects get a notebook. My problem is, that it's very difficult to keep track of everything. How do you guys keep track of documentation? Brad
A second screen which I can read documentation on while I work, an electronic filing system indexed by job number and google desktop seem to work fine for me.
Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential.(Winston Churchill)
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Are there any tools that you use to organize documents and web pages? Thanks Brad
Take a look at EverNote[^]. It lets you capture the information you want from web pages, documents, hand-written or type scribbles, to-do lists, etc. You can organize the information into categories so you can find everything when you want it. You may also want to invest in a cheap scanner with a page feeder, if you work with a lot of hard-copy documents. I also like to work with a drawing tablet so I can hand doodle my ideas into an electronic document and associate them with one or more projects. You may also want to take a look at OneNote[^] from Microsoft. Robert C. Cartaino
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Take a look at EverNote[^]. It lets you capture the information you want from web pages, documents, hand-written or type scribbles, to-do lists, etc. You can organize the information into categories so you can find everything when you want it. You may also want to invest in a cheap scanner with a page feeder, if you work with a lot of hard-copy documents. I also like to work with a drawing tablet so I can hand doodle my ideas into an electronic document and associate them with one or more projects. You may also want to take a look at OneNote[^] from Microsoft. Robert C. Cartaino
Robert.C.Cartaino wrote:
Take a look at EverNote[^].
I should have mentioned that they offer a very capable free version. The newest version also comes as both a desktop application and a web client with free online storage of your notes, if you want to have access to them anywhere.
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A second screen which I can read documentation on while I work, an electronic filing system indexed by job number and google desktop seem to work fine for me.
Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential.(Winston Churchill)
Any additional arguments I can use to convince the boss I need a second monitor? I've tried showing GUI debugging as well as creating and reading documentation while in whatever application I've been working on, but he's just said to switch tasks. I'd love to find a good cost justification for a second monitor. Without having one, anything I say about time saved etc is just a guesstimate and ignored by the penny pinchers. Thanks
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Different people have different styles. What I'm looking for is ideas. I work on many different projects. I tend to start gathering pieces of information long before actual coding begins. This includes gathering information about similar programs, useful articles etc. What I end up with is several piles on my desk, one for each project as well as a growing "future reference" file. Sometimes I get organized and put some into file folders, or large projects get a notebook. My problem is, that it's very difficult to keep track of everything. How do you guys keep track of documentation? Brad
I use a notebook and a 3 ring binder for each project. When I do print out documents, I usually only print out the material I need on hand at the moment and promptly put them in the binder. This helps me with the piles.
Sovereign ingredient for a happy marriage: Pay cash or do without. Interest charges not only eat up a household budget; awareness of debt eats up domestic felicity. --Lazarus Long
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Different people have different styles. What I'm looking for is ideas. I work on many different projects. I tend to start gathering pieces of information long before actual coding begins. This includes gathering information about similar programs, useful articles etc. What I end up with is several piles on my desk, one for each project as well as a growing "future reference" file. Sometimes I get organized and put some into file folders, or large projects get a notebook. My problem is, that it's very difficult to keep track of everything. How do you guys keep track of documentation? Brad
1 binder, 1 project. Sort of like 1 Ranger, 1 riot.
Best wishes, Hans
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Robert.C.Cartaino wrote:
Take a look at EverNote[^].
I should have mentioned that they offer a very capable free version. The newest version also comes as both a desktop application and a web client with free online storage of your notes, if you want to have access to them anywhere.
THANKS!!! Downloading now. The only thing I didn't see is how to point to Word documents. I'll keep looking. Brad
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THANKS!!! Downloading now. The only thing I didn't see is how to point to Word documents. I'll keep looking. Brad
Brad Bruce wrote:
I didn't see is how to point to Word documents
A couple of ways, depending on the context of what you want to see in your notes: 1. From explorer, drag the document file into a new note. Then you can say whether you want a link to the original document file or the entire document embedded in EverNote as a new note. 2. From within MS Word, select the relevant text and drag it to EverNote. You will get the text as a new note and link back to the original document. Keep in mind, EverNote is designed to compile all your information in one place so it can be searched and organized. Don't get caught in the trap of dropping links from a bunch of different sources (web pages, word documents, etc) into Evernote. Then all you have is a glorified bookmark manager. Keep your notes (i.e. the Word document) in Evernote, not just a link to it. Get rid of the original, unless you really need it. You'll appreciate it later. Sorry, didn't want to turn this into an EverNote support forum. Enjoy, Robert C. Cartaino
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Are there any tools that you use to organize documents and web pages? Thanks Brad
Windows Explorer :-O
Software Zen:
delete this;
Fold With Us![^] -
Windows Explorer :-O
Software Zen:
delete this;
Fold With Us![^]I'm leaning toward that. Do File - Save As from the browser to get an offline copy of web pages. Create shortcuts to other documents. Organize however necessary. As I'm writing this, I'm thinking about a small database as an enhancement to using explorer. It might be time for another article. (It's been years since I wrote one) This all started because I'm getting an office of my own at work :-\ and they have given me a choice of shelves or drawers (5 drawer lateral file cabinet). What I really want is both, but there isn't room. :( At home I have a shelf over a smaller file cabinet and it works well, but I don't have stacks of printouts there.
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Different people have different styles. What I'm looking for is ideas. I work on many different projects. I tend to start gathering pieces of information long before actual coding begins. This includes gathering information about similar programs, useful articles etc. What I end up with is several piles on my desk, one for each project as well as a growing "future reference" file. Sometimes I get organized and put some into file folders, or large projects get a notebook. My problem is, that it's very difficult to keep track of everything. How do you guys keep track of documentation? Brad
I'm a great believer in the Clean Desk Policy. I always make sure that there is so much paper scattered around and piled on my desk that no dirt can ever reach its surface.
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Different people have different styles. What I'm looking for is ideas. I work on many different projects. I tend to start gathering pieces of information long before actual coding begins. This includes gathering information about similar programs, useful articles etc. What I end up with is several piles on my desk, one for each project as well as a growing "future reference" file. Sometimes I get organized and put some into file folders, or large projects get a notebook. My problem is, that it's very difficult to keep track of everything. How do you guys keep track of documentation? Brad
I use a vertical storage system, chronologically sorted. When the file begins to tilt, I start a new one to prevent the tilt from becoming a topple. Once the area of "files" exceeds the size of the room allocated to them, I do a sort and purge operation to cull out items that are no longer critical, or have become moot. A dumpster is often helpful in this process.
"A Journey of a Thousand Rest Stops Begins with a Single Movement"
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Any additional arguments I can use to convince the boss I need a second monitor? I've tried showing GUI debugging as well as creating and reading documentation while in whatever application I've been working on, but he's just said to switch tasks. I'd love to find a good cost justification for a second monitor. Without having one, anything I say about time saved etc is just a guesstimate and ignored by the penny pinchers. Thanks
Okay, how about telling him it will make you 1/3 more efficient. This is what I have experienced - however what I did is I bought in my own second monitor. There is no question, in my experience, that any serious developer needs 2 monitors - one to read the specification/look at output on and one to code on. It takes a little bit of getting used to the extra monitor i.e. actually making use of it and once you do you will never want to look back. Just think of all that toner, paper, walking to the printer, switching back and forth between screens that you will save with a second monitor.
Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential.(Winston Churchill)
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I use a vertical storage system, chronologically sorted. When the file begins to tilt, I start a new one to prevent the tilt from becoming a topple. Once the area of "files" exceeds the size of the room allocated to them, I do a sort and purge operation to cull out items that are no longer critical, or have become moot. A dumpster is often helpful in this process.
"A Journey of a Thousand Rest Stops Begins with a Single Movement"
:laugh: How true!
“Cannot find REALITY.SYS...Universe Halted.” ~ God on phone with Microsoft Customer Support
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I use a vertical storage system, chronologically sorted. When the file begins to tilt, I start a new one to prevent the tilt from becoming a topple. Once the area of "files" exceeds the size of the room allocated to them, I do a sort and purge operation to cull out items that are no longer critical, or have become moot. A dumpster is often helpful in this process.
"A Journey of a Thousand Rest Stops Begins with a Single Movement"
Roger Wright wrote:
A dumpster is often helpful in this process.
Very true. Old papers are nice fire starters for cold winter nights :rolleyes:
"The clue train passed his station without stopping." - John Simmons / outlaw programmer "Real programmers just throw a bunch of 1s and 0s at the computer to see what sticks" - Pete O'Hanlon
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Okay, how about telling him it will make you 1/3 more efficient. This is what I have experienced - however what I did is I bought in my own second monitor. There is no question, in my experience, that any serious developer needs 2 monitors - one to read the specification/look at output on and one to code on. It takes a little bit of getting used to the extra monitor i.e. actually making use of it and once you do you will never want to look back. Just think of all that toner, paper, walking to the printer, switching back and forth between screens that you will save with a second monitor.
Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential.(Winston Churchill)
Good points! toner, paper, time Oh wait! I know! I WANT ONE! - better not tell them this too early.
